District Operations

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Conservation Districts

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Delaware's three Conservation Districts (New Castle, Kent and Sussex Conservation Districts) are authorized Delaware Code Title 7, Chapter 39 to further conservation, protection, development and utilization of land and water resources in the state. Each conservation district in Delaware has four elected Board supervisorsalong with optional appointed Board Supervisors. The Division's District Operations Section is responsible for the administration and direction of the Conservation Districts' programs.

Conservation Districts are involved in numerous programs and activities that help landowners become better stewards of their land, most notably the State Cost-Share Program.

DACD (Delaware Association of Conservation Districts)

DACD is a voluntary, non-profit alliance which provides a forum for discussion and coordination among the Districts as they work to ensure the wise use and treatment of renewable natural resources. Using the association as their coordinating force, Delaware's Conservation Districts are leading the way in conservation efforts in the state.

Delaware Envirothon

The Delaware Envirothon, sponsored by DACD, is an Environmental Challenge for teams of high school students in the areas of aquatic ecology, soil/land use, wildlife, forestry and an annual special environmental topic. The Envirothon program is used to instruct high school students in conservation methods and promote the spread of the conservation message to teenagers. The Envirothon program consists of yearly workshops to educate the teams in these areas.

The challenge is a day long event consisting of teams of five students from all three counties. Winners of the event are rewarded with a $5,000 per year renewable academic scholarship from Wesley College and a $500.00 scholarship from the Delaware Envirothon. Each winning student wins a team jacket, two championship award plaques and a trip to the week-long National event. The second place team school receives a $300 award towards environmental educational materials; the third place team receives $150 Dean Belt award; and the fourth place team wins the $100 Chairman's award.